Last Updated on 23 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Ricky Ponting has questioned why Australia made the decision to stick with Marnus Labuschagne for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.
The former Australian captain argues that the selectors may wish to rejig the batting order, but still finds it difficult to see how that can happen with Labuschagne in the squad. Also, Australia did not pick a reserve top order batsman in the 16-man squad, which means the only option is potentially to move Steve Smith up to three and select Cooper Connolly down the order.
Ricky Ponting critical of selectors’ decision to pick Marnus Labuschagne for South Africa tour
“Am I surprised? It’s hard to be surprised because they just keep picking him,” Ponting told CODE Sports.
“In the back of my own mind I was like, ‘has the time come when they’re going to make that call yet, or is it not?’ They’ve decided not to, and the only thing I can think is they’re going to shuffle the batting order around to accommodate somehow because I can’t see how they can keep going the same direction they’ve gone.”
Earlier this week, selection chair George Bailey said they need more runs from Labuschagne, but also mentioned that changes to the batting order are possible.
“I think there are always going to be considerations. Steve has batted at three for a large part of his career, hasn’t done it for a little while, and has had success there, so absolutely that’ll be a conversation at some point,” Bailey said after the squad announcement.
However, Ponting doesn’t see how a shuffle is possible with the squad Australia has picked.
“In the back of my own mind, I think they’re desperate to get Travis [Head] back to number five,” Ponting said.
“But what does that mean? How do they do that? But by keeping Marnus there, it’s making all those moves harder and harder. Unless Marnus opens and Smith bats three, then I can’t see how they get the changes that they’re after.
“But anyway, we’ll see. I mean, it’s not going to be nice. It’s not an easy series for anyone to go and play. And I understand taking debutants or young blokes to South Africa wouldn’t be easy, but I’m not sure what we have to lose.”
Ponting concerned about Labuschagne’s backfoot play
Ponting has been vocal in recent times on the need to drop Labuschagne. During the second Test against Bangladesh, Ponting spoke about Labuschagne’s inability to score off the backfoot as a key reason why he averages 24 since his last Test hundred back in 2023.
“I admire that they [the selectors] tried to get him and get him back to his best, but it’s been way too long now. I’m on record as saying I would have made that change at the start of this series because I think there was enough evidence for me to suggest that he was a long way from rediscovering his best,” Ponting said on Channel 7.
“He was unlucky today. There’s no doubt about that. But that tends to happen to you as well when you’re struggling and you’re trying to find some form and some rhythm,” Ponting continued, before revealing Labuschagne’s biggest technical deficiency.
“The worry that I had with him, I think there’s some technical deficiency there but he’s making the margin for error for the bowlers too great. With the length, he can’t score off the back foot. If you can’t score off the back foot in Test cricket then batting becomes a hard game. So I well and truly think it’s time to have a look at somebody else.”
Ponting was pleased with Australia’s decision to select Cooper Connolly in the squad. He says Australia are in a position now where Sheffield Shield numbers shouldn’t be the prerequisite for selection.
“Don’t worry about Sheffield Shield numbers. Just pick talent. (Connolly is) certainly one of those guys that leaps off a page when you look at him talent-wise,” Ponting said.
“And the reason I say that as well is, I know there’s been a bit of talk the last couple of days about you know Marnus at his best was one of the best in the world. Yeah, that’s true. But was also averaging 35 in Shield cricket when he got picked.”
The first Test against South Africa begins on October 9 in Durban.
